idolater

/aɪˈdɒl.ə.tər/ (bre, ipa) · /aɪˈdɑː.lə.t̬ɚ/ (ame, ipa) · /ī-ˈdä-lə-tər/ (ame, mw)

idolater — noun

  • idolatersingular
  • idolatersplural

1. a person who worships a statue, picture, or other physical object as a god or sp

1.名詞B2
釋義

a person who worships a statue, picture, or other physical object as a god or spirit, usually as part of a religious tradition

例句

The ancient temple walls show paintings of idolaters bowing before stone statues.

idolater + bowing before [religious object]

In historical records, idolaters were often described as people who prayed to carved figures.

同義詞
  • worshipper

    a broader term; an idolater is a specific type of worshipper focused on physical objects or images

  • pagan

    a wider label for non-mainstream religious practices; not all pagans are idolaters

反義詞
  • iconoclast

    someone who attacks or rejects religious images and idols

用法筆記

Often appears in historical or anthropological writing about pre-modern religions. The word can carry a negative judgment depending on the speaker's own religious viewpoint.

常見錯誤

❌The idolater prayed to God in the church.
✅The idolater prayed to the golden statue at the shrine.
💡idolaters worship physical objects or images, not a formless deity in a mainstream tradition.

2. a person who has an extremely strong, often unreasonable admiration for someone

2.名詞C1
釋義

a person who has an extremely strong, often unreasonable admiration for someone or something, treating that person or idea as if it were perfect

例句

Ibrahim is such an idolater of that politician that he defends every decision she makes.

idolater of [person] — defends every decision

Keiko's friends called her an idolater because she owned every album and poster of the singer.

同義詞
  • devotee

    less intense; a devotee is strongly interested but not necessarily blind to flaws

  • fanatic

    similar intensity but can apply to any cause or belief, not just admiration of a person

反義詞
  • critic

    someone who judges and finds faults, the opposite of blind admiration

用法筆記

Used figuratively to criticize someone's excessive admiration. The speaker or writer usually disapproves of the amount of admiration being shown.

常見錯誤

❌She is an idolater of classical music.' (too mild for the word's intensity)
✅She is an idolater of that conductor, flying to every city where he performs.
💡idolater implies extreme, often unreasonable devotion, not just appreciation.